The chip scarcity could be very a lot nonetheless a factor, and it could even affect Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro launch subsequent month. Now, SK Hynix, one of many three main DRAM and NAND producers, has introduced that it’s going to put money into a brand new DRAM and a brand new NAND fab.
The previous represents a KRW 35.2 trillion (roughly $25 billion) funding, whereas the latter is a KRW 19.1 trillion (roughly $13.5 billion) funding. The DRAM fab is anticipated to open in June 2029, whereas the NAND fab is anticipated to open in December 2028.
So, whereas such investments are positively welcome, they won’t remedy the chip scarcity anytime quickly. SK Hynix quotes Omdia saying that each DRAM and NAND demand are anticipated to “keep a compound annual progress fee of 19% from final 12 months to 2030”. The chip maker additionally thinks that “the flexibility to provide the required quantity on the precise second prospects want it’s the final aggressive benefit”, and that is why it determined to greenlight these investments.
An SK Hynix official mentioned: “This funding is a call made to grab alternatives according to the market’s progress pace. By proactively securing manufacturing capabilities, we goal to ascertain ourselves as a key companion in AI infrastructure, contributing to the steadiness of the worldwide AI semiconductor provide chain”.
